Younus hit a crucial half century along with Misbah during their unfinished 113-run fourth wicket stand. PHOTO: AFP
Seasoned batsmen Younus Khan and Misbahul Haq hit resolute half-centuries to take the fight to Sri Lanka in the second Test in Dubai on Friday.
Younus was unbeaten on 62 and Misbah scored 52 not out to help Pakistan reach 132 for three at close on the third day at the Dubai stadium pitch which is likely to help spinners on the last two days.
Pakistan still need another 91 runs to avoid an innings defeat and going down 0-1 in the three Test series after the first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi.
Younus and Misbah came together with Pakistan in dire straits at 19 for three in the second innings.
Sri Lanka earlier gained a big 223-run lead by scoring 388 in their first knock.
Younus said the fight back will continue.
“It’s nice to fight back,” said Younus. “I had a good partnership with Misbah when the team needed it and our first target on Saturday will be to erase the lead and then bat on.”
It was pace man Nuwan Pradeep (two for 28) who gave Pakistan early wobbles.
Pradeep had Mohammad Hafeez caught behind in his second over and in his fourth swung one across Manzoor for wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene to catch a simple offer.
Pakistan had lost opener Ahmed Shehzad in the last over before lunch, caught behind for nine off spinner Rangana Herath.
It was left to Younus and Misbah to fight one more time for Pakistan.
Younus reached his 28th half-century with a single off Herath and continued to bat solidly, hitting four boundaries. Misbah completed his 3,000th Test run when on 10, becoming Pakistan’s 15th batsmen to achieve the milestone.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2014.
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